Jeep Cherokee Heavy Duty Radiator? (Must Know Things)

The heavy-duty radiator has many benefits that relieve car owners of frequent repairs and replacements.

In addition, this device is highly compatible with light and heavy-duty trucks, SUVs, and other vehicles suitable for off-roading.

With such a great degree of usefulness, it’s essential. So let’s find out if the Jeep Cherokee has a heavy-duty radiator.

Jeep Cherokee is a compact SUV that makes use of a heavy-duty radiator. The heavy-duty radiator reduces overheating by 80-85%, prevents oil leaks and exhaust gas, and completely cools the engine. It’s thick, strong, reliable, and lasts longer than normal car radiators.

What is a Heavy Duty Engine Cooling Jeep? 

The heavy-duty engine cooling system of Jeep vents out excessive heat due to heavy use of the engine. How the cooling system works is pretty simple and easy to understand.

The cooling system responds to the optimum engine temperature conditions and creates a valve. The valve further delivers cool water from the radiator to the engine block. 

The radiator thermostat works concurrently with the fan drive, propelling the fan to rotate faster or slower. And the rotation entirely depends on engine cooling.

The heavy-duty cooling system comes with some models of Jeep, such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The engine cooling system of Jeep controls the release of excessive heat and cools down the engine. 

Contrary to the radiator, the fan is larger and works faster than the radiator fan. As a result, the Jeep produces excessive heat when the engine is under stress.

The stress may be due to vigorous off-road activities, which consume a lot of fuel.

Nevertheless, other factors like using the wrong coolant and water also lead to excessive heat production.

The heavy-duty engine cooling system works effortlessly with the radiator to ensure a smooth off-road experience.  

How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Radiator in a Jeep Cherokee? 

The cost of replacing the radiator of a Jeep Cherokee is between $1,211-$1,291. Labor costs are between $203-$256, while parts are roughly $1,009-$1,035.

Replacing your radiator solely depends on your location, as the costs differ. It also depends on the year and model of your Jeep Cherokee. 

You can negotiate the replacement costs with your dealership if it’s too expensive. The radiator is an essential part of your Jeep Cherokee that requires adequate maintenance.

Lack of proper maintenance may damage the radiator as it’s prone to corrosion and leaks.

You need to replace your radiator immediately when you notice the following crucial signs. 

#1. Overheating:

This sign is crucial, and you shouldn’t ignore it. The radiator generates excessive heat when you use water or the wrong coolant.

In this case, you need to use the right coolant and avoid using water to reduce overheating. However, if it persists, then you need to replace the radiator. 

#2. Frequent oil leaks:

Engine oil often goes into the radiator for smooth movement of the metal parts. When the oil leaks frequently, the engine fails to function properly, slowing down the vehicle.

Nevertheless, you need to replace the radiator as soon as possible to prevent further damage. 

What is a Radiator? 

A radiator is an essential part of a vehicle that controls excessive heat and cools down the engine for a smooth driving experience.

Without the radiator, your vehicle will not function properly as there will be no means of cooling. 

Car manufacturers always install a suitable radiator for cooling the internal combustion engine.

However, you can find the radiator in HVAC dry cooling towers, motorcycles, stationary generating plants, and railway locomotives. 

Radiators transfer heat through convection, and it often serves as a source of heat in some cases.

Radiators in automobiles use a coolant that meets all the manufacturer’s requirements.

The coolant usually contains 50% of water and 50% of glycol and other additives, which prevent freezing, sludge accumulation, and corrosion. 

Using the wrong coolant in the radiator might cause damage and lead to sludge accumulation.

The sludge makes the coolant dirty and prevents proper cooling, which leads to overheating.

You can prevent this by flushing the radiator regularly and using a suitable coolant. Furthermore, you need to avoid using water as it contains minerals that cause premature corrosion. 

How does the Radiator Work? 

The radiator works through a process known as convection to reduce excess heat and ensure proper cooling.

When there’s excessive heat in the engine, the coolant flows in via the engine block. 

Here, the coolant absorbs the excess heat from the engine. Then, the hot coolant goes into the radiator’s inlet tank, and you can find the inlet tank on the apex of the radiator.

The inlet tank serves as a means through which the coolant goes across the radiator core. And this is done through tubes to another tank on the polar end of the radiator.

Now, when the coolant goes through the radiator tubes on its route to the polar tank, it transfers its heat to the tubes.

These tubes further transfer heat to the fins lodged between each row of tubes. Then, the fins release the heat into the atmosphere.

In addition, the fins often boost the contact surface of the tubes to the atmosphere, therefore enhancing the exchange productivity. 

The completely cool liquid goes back into the engine, reiterating the cycle.

The radiator doesn’t necessarily decrease the temperature of the coolant back to the temperature of the air.

However, it cools down properly to prevent overheating of the engine. 

Pros and Cons of the Radiator 

The radiator is an indispensable device that serves car owners in the long run as long as they practice healthy routines and proper maintenance.

Now, what are the pros of the radiator? Let’s find out below! 

• The radiator has excellent heat dissipation. As a result, it conserves more energy than other devices. 
• It has exceptional execution of oxidation corrosion obstruction.
• It is incredibly responsive.
• The radiator is environmentally friendly in generating gas. Hence, it is less contaminating.
• The radiator is extremely easy to mold. Therefore, you can discover very decent and extraordinary designs.
• You can use strong materials such as ceramic or cast iron to create radiators, and they will hold heat for a long time.

Despite the numerous benefits of the radiator, it has a few drawbacks that may cause some problems.

Below are some of the cons of the radiator. 

• The radiator might lose a lot of heat if you don’t maintain it properly.
• The operation is usually noisy.
• The radiator requires a sufficient proportion of airflow to function properly. 
• The radiator becomes extremely hot while it’s working. 

Tips and Tricks to Maintain the Radiator 

Maintaining your radiator is of paramount importance as it serves as your vehicle’s cooling system.

So without further ado, below are some tips and tricks you can adopt to maintain your radiator. 

#1. Remember to use the right coolant:

Use only coolants that meet all the requirements in your owner’s manual. Never mix coolants as they could damage the radiator.

#2. Flush your radiator regularly:

You can flush your radiator every 12 months/30 000 kilometers. This routine will prevent sludge accumulation and keep your radiator clean and healthy. 

#3. Maintain the hoses and check for leaks:

Always check for leaks and repair them where necessary. 

#4. Avoid overloading:

Overloading your vehicle frequently places a lot of stress on your car, leading to overheating of the engine. Hence, it’s best to carry a minimum amount of goods. 

Summary

Jeep Cherokee is a good off-road SUV that uses a heavy-duty radiator.

In addition, the heavy-duty engine cooling system works hand in hand with the radiator to enable proper cooling of the engine.

Furthermore, you can replace your radiator when you notice signs like frequent oil leaks and overheating.